Flamboyant Christchurch property developer Antony Gough is getting an honorary doctorate from the University of Canterbury.

Gough, who is best known for creating the stretch of bars and restaurants along Oxford Terrace, will become an honorary Doctor of Commerce in recognition of his significant contribution to the development of Christchurch's central city.

Since the quakes Gough has been at the forefront of the rebuild effort.

As chairman of the Central City Retailers' Association, he was instrumental in establishing the Re:Start container mall in Cashel St.

His company has also begun a $140 million redevelopment project centred on his former Oxford Terrace precinct.

To be known as The Terrace, the development includes bars, restaurants, shops, a hotel, apartments and offices and will eventually include 40,000 square metres of built space where up to 2000 people will work.

University of Canterbury chancellor Dr John Wood said it was timely and appropriate for the university to acknowledge the significant contribution that Gough had made to the development of the city over many years, and especially since the earthquakes.

The honorary doctorate will be awarded to Gough, who graduated from Canterbury University in 1970 with a Bachelor of Science degree, with honours in nuclear science, during the university's April graduation ceremonies.

Ward will become a Doctor of Fine Arts and Gibbs a Doctor of Engineering.

Ward is one of New Zealand's most celebrated filmmakers, screenwriters and artists. His films have received critical acclaim both within New Zealand and overseas, and are known for their strong visual and atmospheric elements.

His films began receiving international recognition and critical acclaim even before he had graduated from Canterbury University in 1979 with a Diploma in Fine Arts.

Ward's first feature film, Vigil (1984), was the first New Zealand feature film to be invited to enter the competition at the Cannes Film Festival.

Navigator: A Medieval Odyssey (1988) and Map of the Human Heart (1993) also featured at Cannes. His 1998 film What Dreams May Come, starring Robin Williams, received an Academy Award for best visual effects.

Ward developed the initial story for Alien 3, executive produced the Academy Award nominated film The Last Samurai, which starred Tom Cruise, and directed the historical epic River Queen. He received the New Zealand Order of Merit for his contribution to filmmaking in 2007.

Gibbs has had a substantial influence across New Zealand's business, economic, political and cultural spheres since graduating from Canterbury University in 1961 with a Bachelor of Arts in economics, having previously studied for three years towards an engineering degree.

During New Zealand's period of economic reform from the late 1970s to the early 1990s, Gibbs was active in restructuring inefficient businesses such as Freightways and, more significantly, Telecom, so that their best elements could survive and prosper in competitive markets.